An Alternative Approach for External Drainage of Suprachoroidal Hemorrhage: Active Aspiration with Butterfly Needle

Abstract

ABSTRACT Purpose: To describe a novel surgical technique for external drainage of choroidal detachment/suprachoroidal hemorrhage with a butterfly needle. Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective case series on six eyes with serous and/or hemorrhagic choroidal detachments due to previous intraocular surgery or perforating ocular trauma that underwent active external suprachoroidal fluid drainage procedure with butterfly needle. The primary outcome measures were perioperative controlled fluid discharge and presence of choroidal detachment at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months postoperatively. Secondary outcome measures were postoperative visual acuity and intraocular pressure. Results: During drainage, controlled hemorrhage discharge was observed. Drainage resolved hemorrhagic choroidal detachments at 1 week postoperatively. Intraocular pressure significantly increased, and visual acuity improved in all eyes. No complications were noted. Conclusion: Management of hemorrhagic choroidal detachment is challenging, and external drainage can be complicated. Active aspiration of hemorrhagic material with a butterfly needle may help early resolution.